Reversible toy



May 24, 1955 W. K. CROWDER REVERSIBLE TOY Filed Jan. 14, 1950' 2 Sheets-Sheet l "'4 '11,": "'4 In II."

INVEN TOR. Wuun? K. CROWDER i'TORM V May 24, 1955 Filed Jan. 14, 1950 W. K. CROWDER REVERSIBLE TOY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Wu. K. CROWDER United States Patent REVERSIBLE TOY Wiley H. Crowder, Niagara Falls, N. Y. Application January 14, 1950, Serial No. 138,598

18 Claims. (Cl. 46212) This invention relates to toy vehicles and has particular reference to a reversible motor for such a toy. The motor unit contemplated by this invention provides a means for automatically reversing the direction of movement of the toy whenever the toy collides with an object.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a new and improved toy vehicle.

Another object of the invention is to provide a toy having a motor for automatically reversing the direction of movement of the toy. I

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved motor unit for a toy.

A further object is to provide a reversible motor for a toy vehicle which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, and which is comprised of a minimum number of parts.

Other and further objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and claims and may be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, of which there are two sheets, which by way of illustration show a preferred embodiment of the invention and what I now consider to be the best mode in which I have contemplated applying the principles of my invention. Other embodiments of the invention may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the toy vehicle contemplated by the invention with certain parts thereof shown in section;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the motor unit disclosed in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a sectional View taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view disclosing'a part of the motor mounting means;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the motor unit similar to Fig. 1 but with the motor adapted to drive the vehicle in a reverse direction;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken along lines 7-7 of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a part of the means which forms a driving connection between the motor unit and one of the supporting wheels of the toy.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the toy vehicle disclosed therein comprises a body 10, rear supporting wheels 12, front wheels 14, and a motor unit indicated at 16. The body 10 may be of any suitable or desirable design and may be made of metal, plastic,-or any other suitable material. The body includes a hood 18 beneath which the motor unit 16 is mounted.

.The motor unit 16 includes cup-shaped casings 20 and 22 which as disclosed in Figs. 2 "and 3 are circular, and the casing 22 is telescoped into the casing 20 andthe edges of the casings 20 and 22 are secured together so 2,708,81 l Patented May 24, 1955 as to provide a hollow housing 24 within which the motor is disposed. The casing 20 is provided with projections 26 having flanges 28.

The housing 24 is pivotally mounted to the body 10 by means of a wire or frame 30. As disclosed in Fig. 2, the frame 30 is substantially U-shaped and extends around the casing 20. Each end of the frame 30 is bent laterally at 32. Each end 34 of the frame projects through an aperture in the adjacent flange 28 on the easing 20. The ends 34 are then bent angularly as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and are secured to bosses 36 which are provided on the under side of the hood 18. The casing 20 is free to pivot about the ends 34 of the frame 30 so as to provide a pivotal mounting for the motor unit.

Each of the side walls 40 of the body 10 is provided with an L-shaped projection 42 having a notch 44 therein. When assembling the housing 24 to the body 10 the ends 34 of the frame are first suitably secured to the bosses 36 and thereafter the frame 30 may be sprung slightly so that the side 46 of the frame may be inserted into each of the notches 44. The notches 44 should be sufficiently deep so as to prevent a removal of the frame 30 therefrom during operation of the toy. The housing 24 and the motor contained therein are therefore free to pivot about the ends 34 of the frame.

The casing 22 which forms the lower part of the housing 24 forms a means for suspending the front wheels 14 of the vehicle to the body. To this end a front axle 48 extends horizontally through the casing 22 and rotates freely in the casing 22. The front wheels 14 are secured to the axle 48 and rotate therewith. A shaft 50 is also journalled in the housing 24. The shaft 50 is rotatably and slidably journalled in the housing, one end of the shaft being journalled in the casing 22 and the other end being journalled in the casing 29. The shaft 50 has an axis of rotation disposed perpendicularly to the axis of the front axle 48.

A flywheel 52 is secured to the shaft 50 and is seated upon a shoulder 54 upon the shaft 50. The flywheel 52 is adapted to rotate with the shaft 50. The shaft 50 is provided with a pair of spaced pinions which may be formed integrally with the shaft or may be secured suitably thereto. The pinions comprise an upper pinion 56 and a lower pinion 58. It will be noted from Figs. 1, 5 and. 6 that the pinions are disposed on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the axle 48, and that the shaft 58 is disposed forwardly of and above the axle 48.

At least one of the supporting wheels of the vehicle is adapted through a suitable gear mechanism to rotate with the flywheel 52. Such gear mechanism comprises a ring 60 which is secured to the axle 48 within the housing 24. As disclosed in Fig. 6, the axle 48 is made up of two parts, each of which is press fitted into the ring 68. Such a construction is desirable so as to facilitate assembly of the motor unit but has no bearing upon the operation of the device.

The ring 60 is therefore rigidly-secured to the axle 48 and is adapted to rotate therewith. A bushing 62 is also mounted on the axle 48 and is disposed between the ring 60 and the shaft 58. The bushing 62 has a slip fit with the axle 48 so that the axle is free to rotate therein. A gear 64 is secured to the bushing 62 at the end of the bushing adjacent the shaft 50. Each of the pinions 56 and 58 is adapted to engage the teeth 66 of the gear 64, but the spacing of the pinions 56 and 58 on the shaft 50 is such that only one of the pinions is engageable with the teeth 66 at one time. The pinion 56 is adapted to e'ngagethe gear 64 at a point on the gear substantially diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of the.

pinion 58 with the gear, although less than therefrom, so as to keep the pinions and gear engaged under heavy loads.

The ring 60 and the bushing 62 are provided with lugs 63 and 70 respectively, the lug 68 projecting toward the bushing 62 and the lug 7t projecting toward the ring 60. The lugs 68 and 70 provide a means for rotating the bushing 62 and the gear 64 upon rotation of the wheels 14.

With the shaft Si arranged in the position shown in Fig. l, it will be observed that rotation of the wheels 14 in a clockwise direction will cause engagement, of the lugs 68 and 7%, thereby causing the bushing 62 and gear 64 to rotate in the same direction as the wheels 14. With the lower pinion 58 in engagement with the teeth 66' of the gear 64, rotation of the gear in a clockwise direction as shown in Fig. 1 will cause rotation of the. shaft 50 and the flywheel 52. The flywheel 52 is relativelythick and heavy, as compared to the other parts of the motor mechanism. Due to inertia, the flywheel 52 will have a tendency to rotate for a period of time considerably longer than would the wheels 14. Therefore, the rotation of the flywheel will continue to drive the gear 64 through the pinion 58, and the gear 64 by means of the lugs 68 and 79 will continue rotation of the wheels 14, thus continuing to drive the toy in a forward direction.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that if the pinion 56 is engaged with the teeth 66 of the gear 64, the rotation of the gear and therefore the wheels 14 will be reversed, assuming the flywheel 52 to be rotating in the direction previously described. Therefore it will be seen that the direction of movement of the toy can be reversed by shifting the shaft 50 and the pinions 56 and 58 axially so as to disengage the pinion 58 from the gear 64 and to engage the pinion 56 with the gear 64.

To effect the axial movement of the shaft 50 I have provided a plate-like spring 72 within the housing 24. As disclosed in Fig. 2, the spring 72 is provided with a slot 74 at one end '75 thereof. The shaft 50 has a shoulder 76 spaced a slight distance from the flywheel 52. The spring 72 is adapted to engage the shoulder 76 on the shaft t) with the shaft inserted into the slot '74. The casing 2t) is provided with a cutout portion 73 and the casing 22 is provided with a lip 39. The cutout portion 78 and the lip 89 provide an opening in the housing 24 through which the spring 72 extends. The outer end 32 of the spring 72 is substantially U-shaped, as disclosed in Figs. 1 and 5. The U-shaped end 82 of the spring 72 is adapted to engage the side 45 of the frame 30. The edge 84 of the casing 26, which defines the opening 78, and the frame 39 provide spaced bearing points for varying the forces exerted on the spring 72. The end 82 of the spring is provided with a notch 86 which is also engageable with the frame 30.

A comparison of Figs. 1 and 5 will disclose that movement of the spring 72 until the frame 30 is seated in the notch 86' will change the forces exerted on the end 82 of the spring. The result of such movement of the spring is to move the end 75 of the spring upwardly and thereby move the shaft 59 and flywheel 52 axially into the position shown in Fig. 5.

Assuming the wheels 14 to be rotated in a clockwise direction so as to impart rotary movement to the flywheel 52, it will be seen that if the toy collides with an object the wheels 14 will have a tendency to continue forward movement. Since the housing 24 is pivotally mounted to the body 10, a slight amount of such forward movement will be permitted, thus effecting a slight pivotal movement of the housing 24. As the housing 24 pivots in a counterclockwise direction the spring 72 will be moved therewith until the frame 30 engages the notch 86 in the end of the spring 72. The notch 86 provides a means for limiting the pivotal movement of the housing 24. Movement of the spring 72 until the frame 30 is seated in the notch 86' will vary the forces exerted on the spring between the edge 84 of the casing and the frame so as to permit the end 75 of the spring 72 to move the shaft 59 axially into the position shown in Fig. 5. The flywheel 52 continues to rotate during such movement of the shaft 59, and as soon as the pinion 56 is brought into engagement with the gear 64 the gear 64 will be rotated in a counterclockwise direction as shown in Fig. 5. Rotation of the gear 54 in a counterclockwise direction will rotate the lug 7 3 on the bushing 62 away from the lug 68. As soon as the gear 64 has made somewhat less than one complete revolution in such counterclockwise direction, the lug 76 will again engage the lug 68 and will therefore rotate the ring 69, the axle 48 and the wheels 14 in a counterclockwise direction. Since the gear 64 and the bushing 62 must make nearly a complete revolution before the lugs 63 and 7t) are brought into engagement, the pinion 56 will be allowed to completely engage the teeth 66 on the gear 64 before any substantial load is applied to the gear 64.

The axis of the shaft 50 is inclined at an angle of approximately forty-five degrees from the vertical plane. When the toy is being driven forwardly by the rotary inertia of the flywheel 52, collision of the toy with an object will effect the previously described operation of the motor unit. However, at the moment of impact of the toy and during the slight pivotal movement of the housing 24 it is desirable to keep the pinion 5S engaged with the gear 64 until the frame 30 is seated in the notch 86 in the spring 72. The momentum or linear inertia of the mass of the flywheel 52 during such time will be partially transmitted axially along the shaft, 50 due to the angular inclination, of the shaft so as to keep the pinion 58 in engagement with the gear 6- and at the same time to insure that the spring 72 will complete its shifting movement with respect to the frame 30. As soon as the frame 39 is seated in the notch 36, the, spring is set to. move the shaft 59 axially so as to disengage the pinion 58 and engage the pinion 5a with the gear 64, thereby irnparting reverse drive to the wheels 14 from the flywheel 52 as previously described.

With the motor in the position shown in Fig. 5, that is, with the toy moving backwards, collision of the toy with an object will effect a slight pivotal movement of the housing about its pivot point in a clockwise direction, thereby disengaging the frame 30 from the notch 86 and changing the forces, exerted on the spring 72, cansing the end 75 of the spring to move the shaft axially into. the position disclosed in Fig. l. The linear inertia of the flywheel 52. will at the moment of impact again be effective for keeping the pinion 56 in engagement with the gear 6 4 until the pivotal movement of the housing is completed and to insure that the frame 39 will disengage from the notch 86; and seat against the spring 72 in the manner shown in Fig. l. The spring 72 will now be set to move the shaft 59 axially. Such axial movement of the shaft 50 will disengage the pinion 56' from the gear 64 and engage the pinion 5% with the gear 64, again reversing the direction of rotation of the gear 64. The lugs 68 and 70 will then engage so as to reverse the rotation of the. axle 43 and the Wheels 14. The toy will continue to operate in the manner just described as long as the flywheel continues to rotate rapidly enough to overcome the friction between the pinions and the gear and between other moving parts of the motor.

It should be noted that as the toy is pushed in either direction, the flywheel is energized so as to continue movement of the toy in such direction until the toy coll'ides with an object, at which time the motor unit will automatically shift in the manner described so as to reverse the direction of movement of the toy, or until the flywheel stops rotating.

An additional advantage of providing a motor unit which is angularly disposed beneath the hood of the toy resides in the fact that the motor unit takes up less space than would be possible with the shaft 59 arranged. vertically, and to this end the casingZtl is provided with a cutout portion 90 between the projections 26.

The motor unit herein described eliminates the necessity of the usual spring motor, or any other suitable means for driving the toy, usually provided in toys of this type. However, a coiled spring motor or the like could be used with the motor unit described herein for imparting initial rotary movement to the flywheel.

While I have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it is understood that this is capable of modification, and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth, but desi e to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a toy having a body and a driving wheel, a housing mounted on said body for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said driving wheel, a gear within said housing and adapted to be driven by said driving wheel, a shaft rotatably journalled in said housing, said shaft being movable axially into two positions, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said flywheel upon rotation of said driv ing wheel in one direction, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to rotate said gear and said driving wheel in a direction opposite to said one direction, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing.

2. In a toy having a body and a driving wheel, a housing mounted on said body for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said driving wheel, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with said driving wheel, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, said shaft having an axis of rotation disposed normal to the axis of rotation of said driving wheel, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said flywheel upon rotation of said driving wheel in one direction, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to rotate said gear and said driving wheel in a direction opposite to said one direction, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing.

3. In a toy having a body and supporting wheels, a housing mounted on said body for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said wheels, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with one of said wheels, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said flywheel upon rotation of said one of said wheels in one direction, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to rotate said gear and said one of said wheels in a direction opposite to said one direction, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing.

4. lo a toy having a body and supporting wheels, :1 housing movably mounted on said body and movable relative thereto in response to rapid deceleration of said body, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with one of said wheels, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in one position of said shaft, means for moving said shaft axially into a sec ond position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, and a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft, said first pinion being arranged to engage said gear at a point on said gear substantially diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said second pinion with said gear, said means for moving said shaft being operable in response to movement of said housing relative to said body.

5. In a toy having a body and supporting wheels, a housing pivotally mounted on said body, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with one of said wheels, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in one position of said shaft, spring means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, and a sec ond pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft, said first pinion being arranged to engage said gear at a point on said gear substantially diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said second pinion with said gear, said spring means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing.

6. In a toy having a body and supporting wheels, a housing having an opening therein, said housing being pivotally mounted on said body, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with one or" said wheels, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in one position of said shaft, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, and a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft, said first pinion being arranged to engage said gear at a point on said gear substantially diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said second pinion with said gear, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing, said means comprising a plate-like spring having one end thereof engageable with a shoulder on said shaft, the other end of said spring extending through said opening in said housing and cooperating with fixed means for limiting said pivotal movement of said housing.

7. A toy comprising a body, supporting wheels, and a motor unit for automatically providing forward and reverse movement of said toy, said motor unit comprising a housing pivotally mounted on said body, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with one of said wheels, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in one position of said shaft, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, and a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft, said first pinion being arranged to engage said gear at a point on said gear substantially diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said second pinion with said gear, said means for moving said shaft being 0perable upon pivotal movement of said housing and comprising a spring, said spring also providing a means for limiting said pivotal movement of said housing.

8. A toy comprising a body, supporting wheels, and a motor unit for providing forward and reverse move ment to said toy, said motor unit comprising a housing mounted on said body for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axes of rotation of said wheels, a gear Within said housing and adapted to be driven by one of said wheels, a shaft rotatably journalled in said housing, said shaft being movable axially into two positions, a flywheel. secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said flywheel upon rotation of said one of said wheels in one direction, means for moving said shaf axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, and a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to rotate said gear and said one of said wheels in a direction opposite to said one direction, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing.

9. A toy comprising a body, a driving wheel, and a motor unit for providing forward and reverse movement of said toy, said motor unit comprising a housing mounted on said body for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said driving wheel, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with said driving wheel, a shaft rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for rotating said driving wheel upon rotation of said flywheel, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to reverse the direction of rotation of said gear and said driving wheel upon said axial movement of said shaft, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing.

10. In a toy having a body and a driving wheel, a housing mounted on said body for pivotal movement about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of said driving wheel, a gear within said housing and adapted to be driven by said driving wheel, a shaft rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for rotating said driving wheel upon rotation of said flywheel, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to reverse the direction of rotation of said gear and said driving wheel upon said axial movement of said shaft, said means for moving said shaft being operable upon pivotal movement of said housing, said pivotal mounting for said housing comprising a frame member having a pivotal connection with said housing, said frame member being secured to said body.

ll. A toy as set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for moving said shaft comprises a spring having p01- tions thereof engageable with said frame member for limiting said pivotal movement of said housing.

12. A motor unit for providing forward and reverse movement to a toy, said motor unit comprising a housing having a supporting wheel associated therewith, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with said wheel, a shaft rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engagcable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for rotating said wheel upon rotation of said flywheel, said shaft being movable axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to reverse the direction of rotation of said gear and said wheel upon said axial movement of said shaft, and means connected to said shaft and operable in response to abrupt linear deceleration of said unit for moving said shaft from one of said positions to the other.

13. A motor drive unit for a toy having a supporting wheel, said motor unit comprising a housing, a shaft ill slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with said Wheel, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in one position of said shaft, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, and a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft, said first pinion being arranged to engage said gear at a point on said gear substantially diametrically opposed to the point of engagement of said second pinion with said gear, said means for moving said shaft including a member movable relative to said housing in response to rapid linear deceleration of said unit, said relative movement effecting energization of said means to thereby cause the same to move said shaft from one of said positions to the other.

l4. A toy comprising body, a driving wheel, and a rotor unit for providing forward and reverse movement of said toy, said motor unit comprising a housing pivotally mounted on said body, a gear within said housing and adapted to relate with said driving wheel, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywnecl secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said gear in one direction during encrgization of said flywheel, means for moving said shaft axially into a second position, a second pinion on said shaft engageable with said gear in said second position of said shaft for driving said gear in a dire: n opposite to said one direction, the axis of said shaft being inclined with respect to a vertical plane, said means for moving said shaft being energized upon pivotal movement of said housing, the linear inertia of said flywheel and shaft during said pivotal movement being operable for mai..taining the engaged one of said pinions in engagement with said gear, said means being operable to move said shaft as soon as said linear inertia of said flywheel and shaft is expended.

15. A drive unit for a toy having a floor engaging wheel comprising a housing, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with said wheel, a shaft slidably and rotatably journalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewith, a first pinion on said shaft engagea le with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said gear in one direction during cnergization of said flywheel, means for moving said shaft axially into second position, a second pinion on said shaft engagcable with said gear in said second position of said shaft for driving said gear in a direction opposite to said one direction, said means for moving said shaft being energized in respone to rapid deceleration of said drive unit, the linear inertia of said flywheel and sha t during said deceleration being operable for maintaining the engaged one of said pinions in engagement with said gear, said means being opera lc to move said shaft as soon as said linear inertia of said flywheel and shaft is ex ended.

15. in a toy having a body and a driving wheel, a housing movably mounted on said body, a gear within said housing and adapted to rotate with said driving wheel, a shaft slidabiy and rotatably iournalled in said housing, a flywheel secured to said shaft for rotation therewi'h, a first pinion on said shaft cngageable with said gear in a first position of said shaft for driving said flywheel upon rotation of said driving wheel in one direction, means for moving said shaft axially into a second po ium wherein said first pinion is disengaged from said gear, a second ion on said shaft engage-able with said gear in said second position of said shaft so as to rotate said gear and said driving wheel in a direction opposite to said one direction, said housing being movable relative to said body whenever the movement of said toy in either direction is abruptly stopped, said means for moving said shaft being actuated by said movement of said housing to effect said axial movement of said shaft.

17. A drive unit for a toy having a floor engaging wheel, an inertia motor, and a power transmitting arrangement therebetween connecting said motor in driving and driven relation with said wheel, said power transmitting arrangement comprising a rotatable shaft having a flywheel secured thereto, said shaft being axially movable, a gear adapted to rotate with said wheel, and spaced pinions on said shaft, each of said pinions being engageable with said gear when the other of said pinions is disengaged therefrom, one pinion being engageable with said gear at a point substantially diametrically opposed to but less than 180 from the point of engagement of the other of said pinions with said gear, and means for automatically effecting alternate engagement of said pinions with said gear including spring means connected to said shaft for moving the same when energized and means responsive to rapid deceleration of said unit for energizing the spring means.

18. A drive unit for a toy having a floor engaging wheel, an inertia motor, and a power transmitting arrangement therebetween connecting said motor in driving and driven relation with said wheel, said power transmitting arrangement including a reversing mechanism operative for driving said Wheel from said motor in opposite directions, said reversing mechanism including a gear adapted to rotate with said floor wheel and motor driven pinion means engageable with said gear at one or the other of two circumferentially spaced points on said gear for driving said wheel in opposite directions, said pinion means and said gear being relatively movable for shifting the point of engagement therebetween, shifting means for effecting said relative movement of said pinion means and gear, and means responsive to rapid linear deceleration of said unit for energizing said shifting means.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 768,268 Clark Aug. 23, 1904 819,812 Schutze May 8, 1906 1,101,060 Clark June 23, 1914 1,320,316 Clementson Oct. 28, 1919 1,381,556 Hoerner June 14, 1921 1,388,113 Huth Aug. 16, 1921 1,547,517 Nerf July 28, 1925 

